Su Dingfang didn't set up a banquet. He only had someone bring over a cup of hot tea. After drinking the hot tea, one's entire body felt comfortable. Su Dingfang got straight to the point. "Regional Commander Gao, General Hou, I just received news from the frontlines."
After a pause, Su Dingfang continued, "Du Qi has led an army of one hundred thousand toward the border from Yi Province. I just received news that by the time we reach the border, Du Qi's army will have already set up camp there."
Gao Shilian's face instantly paled.
He didn't think that coming to the Western Regions to take up the post of regional commander of the Anxi Protectorate wasn't too difficult. Gao Shilian believed that no matter how unyielding Du Qi was, he wouldn't make an enemy of the Imperial Court.
But Gao Shilian hadn't expected that Du Qi would really lead an army here.
What audacity!
Hou Junji had a lot of opinions about Du Qi. When he heard the news about Du Qi, instead of being angry, he was delighted. "Du Qi is truly young and frivolous. He has the heart of a traitor. In Chang 'an, there were people who said that Du Qi was a traitor and an ingrate. Now that he's in the Western Regions, he thinks that he's infallible just because he has a little bit of strength. Du Qi is truly arrogant! "
Hou Junji continued, "Although the Western Regions is said to have an army of one hundred thousand, it's probably just to make up the numbers. I don't think that Du Qi really has an army of one hundred thousand. He's only here to show off his strength. Unfortunately, the Imperial Court has already predicted this. This general is leading an army of fifty thousand. Together with Governor Su's army, we should be able to stop Du Qi. "
In front of Gao Shilian and Hou Junji, Su Dingfang didn't say anything about Du Qi.
There were some things that could be said in front of Fu Junheng.
However, he could not tell Gao Shilian. Su Dingfang understood this point. Therefore, Su Dingfang said, "Provincial Governor Gao, General Hou, now that Du Qi has brought his troops here, how should we deal with it? Should we head to the border immediately or make other arrangements? "
Hou Junji immediately said, "Of course, we're going straight to the border. Not only that, Governor Su, you will lead your army to the border with us. I'd like to see what Du Qi dares to do. If he dares to betray the Tang dynasty, kill him at the border. "
Gao Shilian echoed, "Time is of the essence. We can't afford any delays, so we have to go to the border immediately."
"Yes!"
Su Dingfang immediately agreed.
Then, Su Dingfang looked at Fu Junheng and said, "Senior Fu, you stay behind and manage the government affairs. You can deal with everything directly. There's no need to report it. If you're really unsure, then keep them for the time being. I'll deal with them when I return. "
"Yes!"
Fu Junheng immediately agreed.
Gao Shilian, Hou Junji, and Su Dingfang wasted no more time. They left the Provincial Governor's Residence and led the army to the barracks, where they gathered up Su Dingfang's thirty thousand soldiers.
They also brought along the auxiliary soldiers.
The army set out.
A total of eighty thousand soldiers were rushing on their way in a grandiose manner.
It was now the twelfth month, and the snowstorm was so fierce that the roads were covered in snow, making the journey even slower. Even though Hou Junji's soldiers were wearing thick clothes, they still felt rather cold in the cold winds.
In the middle of the twelfth month, they reached the border.
Du Qi had been stationed at the border for some time now, and his army had been quietly waiting for news. When Du Qi learned that Su Dingfang and Hou Junji's army had arrived, he did not make any changes.
The two armies were in a standoff.
They were only six to seven miles apart.
After Hou Junji's army set up camp, Gao Shilian and a few of his personal guards began to head toward Du Qi's camp. Su Dingfang and Hou Junji had not come, only set up camp in the rear.
After all, only Gao Shilian had come. When Gao Shilian arrived at the entrance of the camp, Du Qi did not personally come out, only ordered a soldier to bring Gao Shilian into the central tent.
After Gao Shilian stood still, he looked at Du Qi who was sitting on the main seat.
In terms of title, Du Qi was the Pacifying West King.
This was the title of Prince.
Even though Gao Shilian was a Regional Commander, he still had to bow to Du Qi. Thus, Gao Shilian bowed and said, "Gao Shilian pays respects to His Highness Pacifying West King."
Du Qi smiled and waved his hand. "Prefectural Duke of Yixing is too polite. Sit."
Gao Shilian expressed his thanks and sat down.
Du Qi ordered a servant to bring warm wine. "Prefectural Duke of Yixing, the weather is cold. Drink a mouthful of warm wine to warm your body. "
"Many thanks!"
After expressing his thanks, Gao Shilian drank a mouthful of wine.
His body was indeed cold, and his hands were even colder. Now that he had drunk a mouthful of wine, especially since the wine was very strong, he immediately felt a surge of heat in his body, warming him up significantly.
Gao Shilian did not beat around the bush. He took out his imperial edict and handed it to an attendant in the tent. "Pacifying West King, this is His Majesty's imperial edict. I will take over the position of Regional Commander of the Anxi Protectorate. The Western Regions will be under my jurisdiction. Pacifying West King's governance of the Western Regions has been rather effective, and His Majesty has also praised you greatly. "
As he spoke, Gao Shilian stared at Du Qi.
He wanted to see if Du Qi would accept the edict.
If Du Qi really refused to accept the edict, then this battle would be unavoidable. However, as long as Du Qi accepted the edict, he would be able to smoothly take over the position of Regional Commander of the Anxi Protectorate.
Du Qi noticed Gao Shilian's nervous expression. He took the edict and said, "Since His Majesty has personally issued the edict, I naturally have no objections. However, the previous Regional Commander of the Anxi Protectorate was in Guazhou. However, I have been busy with the Western Regions, so I have been in the Western Regions. "
"Prefectural Duke of Yixing had some matters to attend to. Now that you have completed the handover with me, you can return to Guazhou to work."
After pausing for a moment, Du Qi continued, "Speaking of which, the Anxi Protectorate controls the various regions. However, it is only limited. Every region has its own customs. As long as one is loyal to the Tang dynasty, there is no problem. Of course, this is my personal experience. Whether Prefectural Duke of Yixing, oh, no, Regional Commander Gao accepts it or not is up to Regional Commander Gao. "
Hearing this, Gao Shilian's expression changed greatly.
He did not expect Du Qi's response to be like this. Du Qi did not disobey the edict. He accepted Du Qi's edict. The problem was that Du Qi had shamelessly said that the Anxi Protectorate's office was in Guazhou and that Gao Shilian should work there.
This was equivalent to making Gao Shilian a mere figurehead. When the time came, it would be impossible for Gao Shilian to control the Four Prefectures of the Western Regions.
Gao Shilian's eyes turned as he said, "Ping Xi Wang, I am now the Regional Commander of the Anxi Protectorate. Naturally, there will be changes to the office. Right now, the office is moving to Yizhou to make it easier for me to govern. "
Du Qi smiled, "Regional Commander Gao, I'm afraid this is a little inappropriate. As I said earlier, although the Regional Commander of the Anxi Protectorate controls the various regions, he only controls the situation of the various regions. If you rashly break the previous rules, it will definitely cause a huge commotion. Thus, the Regional Commander of the Anxi Protectorate should be in Guazhou. "
After hearing this, Gao Shilian was furious.
Du Qi was openly opposing him.
Gao Shilian's eyes were sharp as he said coldly, "Du Qi, I am the current Regional Commander of the Anxi Protectorate. I have been entrusted by His Majesty to govern the Western Regions. Right now, I want to adjust the office. Are you going to stop me? "
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